Ingress: The Animation

Ingress: The Animation was released in 2018 as a direct tie-in to the augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic. Produced by the Japanese animation studio Craftar, the series was designed to expand upon the game's lore, centering on the conflict between two factions, the Enlightened and the Resistance, who vie for control over mysterious exotic matter. The project aimed to bridge the gap between traditional narrative media and interactive gaming experiences, utilizing 3D computer-generated imagery to capture the sleek, high-tech aesthetic of the source material.

The animation was directed by Yuhei Sakuragi, who sought to integrate the game’s global scale into a cohesive, character-driven story. By focusing on the perspectives of protagonists Makoto, Sarah, and Jack, the series explored the philosophical tensions inherent in the game's factions. Upon its release, it was noted primarily for its distinct visual style and its experimental approach to transmedia storytelling, serving as a landmark effort to provide a narrative backbone for the Ingress player community.